ffxivtips : Details of battle system & new characters from Ikenie to Yuki no Setsuna

Square Enix has updated the official site of Yuki no Setsuna, detailing the game’s battle system and two new characters with the help of new screenshots.

■ An RPG from Years Past

Traveling to the farthest ends of the earth, the escort group progresses onward visiting various towns, preparing equipment, and defeating wild monsters along the way. We are pursuing the fundamental enjoyment of an RPG where the progress is truly felt.

■ System

Active Time Battle

The Active Time Battle (ATB) system is a common characteristic of Square Enix-developed RPGs. Ikenie to Yuki no Setsuna‘s battle system is based on Chrono Trigger‘s ATB 2.0 battle system. It is a choose your command-based battle system full of tension.

When your ATB gauge is filled, you can take action. Also, if several characters’ ATB gauges are filled, you can select their actions in the order you prefer.

Depending on where you’re located compared to the enemy, you can deal ranged damage, or damage enemies with the trails of a projectile weapon. By properly devising the timing of your actions, it’s possible to fight more advantageously.

Setsuna System

The Setsuna System, or “Moment System,” is a system that expands the effectiveness of techniques through timed button reactions in battle.

When you do something like perform an action, receive damage, or let time pass after the ATB gauge reaches its MAX state, the circular Setsuna gauge will accumulate.

When the Setsuna gauge is filled up, additional effects are triggered when you time the button reactions of the performed technique accordingly. Additional damage will occur as part of standard attacks and some attack techniques.

Depending on the technique, there are a variety of results you can expect, such as unleashing the same technique multiple times, attain a recovery effect, or deal a critical hit.

■ Characters

Kuon

Before Setsuna became the “sacrifice,” Kuon was a traveler of many mysteries who visited the village. Now, as a soldier representing the escort group, she has the faithful trust of the villagers, and is adored as a sister by Setsuna. She is invested in the journey more than anyone else and due to her strong sense of responsibility, she absolutely cannot fail her duty. She often has at it with the silent hero, whose mind she can’t read.

Yomi

An experienced swordsman who was part of the escort group on the journey of a previous “sacrifice.” He is usually more cheery than necessary, and is thought to be a fool by everyone in the “Garrison.” Taking advantage of his previous experience, he’s the man to go to for advice in the escort group. Considering Setsuna’s safety his number one priority just as he did about Tsukushi, he turns sides and joins the party.

Ikenie to Yuki no Setsuna is coming to PlayStation 4 & PlayStation Vita in Japan on February 18th.